彭蒙惠英语：Beating Cancer: A Quest for Miracles

Beating Cancer: A Quest for Miracles

 

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Cancer defined

Cancer researchers and other scientists see cancer as many different diseases caused by many different genetic¹ changes. Each of those minute changes allows normal cells to grow out of control—cancer’s definition. As they spread to other parts of the body, cancer cells mutate, developing resistance to chemotherapy and even tricking the body into ignoring their existence.

 

Today’s standard cancer treatments, developed decades ago, kill both good and bad cells. However, scientists increasingly believe the real task is to identify each abnormality early and then develop drugs that will block those specific defects, stopping the cancer in its tracks. Researchers are optimistic that targeted therapies, specialized² drugs that target cancer’s specific genetic abnormalities, will be the ultimate weapon in winning the cancer war.

 

A miracle drug

In 1999, scientists were awed³ by the success of clinical trials testing a new targeted-therapy cancer drug called Gleevec. The real eureka moment came when each of the 31 patients treated with the compound saw his or her white-blood-cell counts return to normal. On May 10, 2001, Gleevec was granted the fastestever Food and Drug Administration approval for a cancer drug.

 

David Wolovitz saw the news and the next day went to see his oncologist for a prescription⁴. After only weeks of taking the new drug, the cancer levels in his blood began dropping, from a high of 89 percent to 2 percent. After six months, the count was zero. It wasn’t a cure, but the next best thing—full remission from his cancer.

 

Meanwhile, newer Gleevec-type drugs are on the way. Scientists remain hopeful that Gleevec will be the discovery that leads to dozens or even hundreds of successful targeted-cancer therapies in the future.

 

Vocabulary Focus

mutate (v) [mju:5teit] to change into a different form or substance

abnormality (n) [7AbnC:5mAliti] something different from what is usual or average, especially in a way that is bad

eureka (exp) [juE5ri:kE] used to show that one has been successful in something one was trying to do

 

Specialized Terms

chemotherapy (n) 化学治疗 the treatment of cancer using specialized chemicals or drugs that destroy cells and tissue in the body

remission (n) 缓和，减轻 a period of time when symptoms of an illness stop or are less severe

 

打败癌症：探索奇迹

 

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癌症界定

癌症研究人员和其它的科学家视癌症为许多不同的基因变化所引起的许多不同的疾病。这许多微小变化中的每一种都会让正常的细胞成长失控——这就是癌症的定义。当癌细胞扩散到身体其它部分时，它们会突变，对化疗产生抵抗力，甚至会欺骗身体忽略它们的存在。

今日标准的癌症治疗方式，是将好的和坏的细胞都杀死，是在数十年前发展出来的。然而，科学家愈来愈相信真正的任务是及早确认出异常现象，然后发明出药来封闭这些特定的缺陷，立即阻断癌症之路。目标疗法是针对癌症特定的基因异常使用特定的药物。研究人员很乐观地认为它将是打赢抗癌战争的终极武器。

 

奇迹药物

1999年，一种经临床实验成功，名为格理威克的新的目标疗法癌症药物，让科学家们大开眼界。真正成功的关键时刻，是当用此化合物治疗的31位病人中的每一位，看到自己的白细胞数回复正常的那一刻。2001年5月10日，格理威克成为美国食品及药品管理局有始以来最快被批准的治癌药物。

大卫·沃洛维兹看到了这则消息，第二天就去要他的肿瘤专科医生那么开处方。在服了新药仅仅几个星期之后，他血中的癌症指数开始下降，从高达89%降到12%。6个月后，指数是零。他并未痊愈，但却处于除此之外最好的状况，他的癌症病情彻底缓和了。

同时，更新的格理威克型药物即将问世。科学家们希望格理威克这项发现能成为引领未来几十种甚至几百种成功的癌症目标疗法。

 

 

1 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

2 specialized   

adj.专门的，专业化的

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
• These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

3 awed   

adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The audience was awed into silence by her stunning performance. 观众席上鸦雀无声，人们对他出色的表演感到惊叹。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I was awed by the huge gorilla. 那只大猩猩使我惊惧。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 prescription   

n.处方，开药；指示，规定

参考例句：

• The physician made a prescription against sea- sickness for him.医生给他开了个治晕船的药方。
• The drug is available on prescription only.这种药只能凭处方购买。